EURO MPs have backed a £110m emergency fund for farmers who struggle to electronically identify (EID) their sheep.

The European Parliament's agriculture committee supported an amendment to the EC’s EID regulations which paves the way for a multi-million pound fund to help farmers implement the controversial sheep tagging measures.

It is seen as a tacit admission of the inability of many sheep farmers to cope with EID’s financial impact.

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans welcomed the move but said it should not obstruct last-ditch efforts to introduce a voluntary element to EID legislation.

As things stand, compulsory EID will be implemented on January 1 next year.

Speaking from Brussels after the vote, Ms Evans said: “We will continue our opposition to compulsory EID, but I want to be sure that adequate financial support is made available for farmers if the European Commission fails to change the policy.

“I'm delighted that fellow MEPs have backed an amendment to call for a 125,000,000 euro EID Relief Fund. If the worst comes to the worst, it would help farmers cope with the costs of implementing the scheme.

“I hope it doesn't get to that stage. We have quite clearly shown how disastrous such a scheme would be for sheep farmers in Wales. It would be hugely expensive and impossible to implement.

“Nonetheless, we have to be prepared for the worst.”

Before the EID relief fund can be established, it will need approval from the full European Parliament.